Man's Inhumanity To Man? :Katrina & Rita
(article also available in Swedish & French)
I am upset today. And, I am greatly disappointed at how some in leadership positions in our christian family around our country, have refused to heed the call of those in need during the recent Hurricanes Katrina (means: "to Purify") and Rita: which means: "Pearl".
For the past 2 months, along with other christian artists in Finland, we have tried, in vain, to organize Benefit concerts, to help those in need in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. It seemed like a good thing to do, as we have been greatly moved in sorrow by their grief and loss...
Some artists, including myself, around the country, sent out e-mails and faxes to churches and christian organizations all over Finland, suggesting that, if they felt led, we all, were willing to come, to donate our God-given Gifts, freely, to help those in need during these disasters.
We all felt confident that at least some of these organisms would have quickly responded and, that they would have been ready to do whatever they could, to unite as one, for such a worthy cause. To our dismay, now going into the 3rd month, not one organization or church in Finland, has agreed to assist or to even help organize such and event?
Now maybe some of them are helping in sending money and aid, direct to the victims? We hope so in any case but we don't know, as we personally have not heard, nor seen any press articles about this... However, we remain prayerful that that is the case.
We, as christian artists in this country, would have thought that this idea of Benefit concerts, would have received at least a reply from each congregation or organization concerning this matter at the very height of the disasters. For that matter, we are still hoping, even at this late date...
Come to think of it, some artists did get a few responses. Those simply stated basically that: "We already have our program for 2005 scheduled..."
In those replies, there was never a mention of them praying for the situation (not that they had to say a word), or passing the idea about the events, on to other colleagues, etc...
Imagine that! The Body of Christ, replying in such a fashion, when people are homeless, starving, sick, drowning, families separated, etc.. and this is the response the Family of the Living God gives? Have we come to this?
Are we so safe and secure in our own land, that we can sit and watch national and international News, all of this horrific devastation and not even lift a hand to help, even when there are those here, that are available to come and work for free, in order to help those, people, we don't even personally know?
There was one deeply moved person we know of, in Southern Finland, who tried, for over 2 weeks, calling churches and organizations in his area... He is not even directly involved in the church, but has a big heart filled with compassion... One person that he took contact with, in a particular congregation, seemed very interested. But weeks later, the reply came from the Elders of that church to him, saying that they had already scheduled another artist to come, earlier this year, for a regular concert... That they could not fit a Benefit for the hurricane victims, into their schedule...
I make no apologies concerning expressing my feelings of dismay concerning this. Some reading this might disagree and that is cool too if they feel this way. Let's just say that we agree to disagree. Nevertheless, wrong is wrong.
One person told me that I should be careful in what I write and say in Finland..with me being a foreigner. I never think of myself that way anymore. I have worked and paid taxes here for over 20 years... I thought, with this kind of attitude, it is no wonder we sometimes have problems with "foreigners" trying to peacefully integrate in our society. In this case, careful about what I write or not, I write what is on my heart today.
One doesn't have to believe in God to help someone in need. But woe.. (Ve oss!)... be it unto those of us who do believe, yet do nothing! Even God Himself at times, has gotten angry at His people and the same for His Son, when we appear more concerned about ourselves rather that others.
When non-believers see us, representing Christ on earth, and yet we sit and do nothing, this I am sure would cause even the Master to cry. Would He do nothing if He were still here? Are we, His children, His hands and feet on earth...
Yes, I am upset and maybe you should be too. We are told not to hide our lights. To be compassionate and to help each other and this is how the world will see that we practice what we preach.
How is it that christian artists in other countries are doing "good works" concerning these disasters of nature there in the USA, and we here sit by idly, discussing our pre-arranged plans for the year, or worst, I've excuses as to why we cannot give a Benefit.
Would we appreciate this kind of attitude if we were the ones in need? It would be a hard reply to swallow, to be told that our immediate life or death situation, could not be arranged, because of their pre-scheduled plans? Think about it a little...
It takes people, united, working together to make something happen. The artists here were not expecting a salary. After all, it was to have been a benefit concert to raise money, to help others in need.
Still, it is not too late, for some pastor, some church or organization leader to chose to help. It is never too late... But it is practically unforgivable that we do nothing.
Now don't get all upset with me and start writing me about me preaching to you, because that is really not the intention... Then again, maybe it is. We all make mistakes and often think about our own needs before the needs of others. But once someone has brought the mistake to our attention, we would be foolish to continue doing the same thing again.
Naturally this reflects upon our own people in this land, in the eyes of others in the world. How does one respond, diplomatically, when people in other countries that are involved in reaching out to these hurricane victims ask: "What are christians in Finland doing to help"?
Please. Do not misunderstand me. I hope and believe with all of my heart, that there are those, that are doing what they can. They may not be seen with the natural eye, but are seen by God. People are praying, and if they can, surely they are likewise helping in a practical way. I am only writing about what some of my associates, in this area of ministry, are saddened by.
One friend wrote me that he understood my "frustration". I am not sure if that in fact is the word. I am just downright mad about all of this right now. But life does go on and help will come to those from some source.
The artists here, those that did express concern, just thought, that if we could join forces, we too, could send a donation. It is upsetting it could be said however, that we continue to read of those artists, in other countries, working with organizations and churches, that are doing some practical in times like these.
We have much untapped talent here in Finland in our christian family. Why on earth are we not taking advantage of it to do something good in this world? While we are sitting having our fresh cup of coffee, enjoying our breakfast, dressed in clean clothes and going on about our lives, I ask you to take a minute a reflect on what I am saying.
It is not only me feeling this pain today. Most of the artists I know that I have been in contact with, are upset too. If we had the power to finance some concert hall ourselves, then we would have naturally done it long ago and I for one, would not be writing this article.
But since we do have churches (some of them not being used to their full possibilities) and we do have facilities for such events in other christian organizations as well, then why should one even have to think about another alternative? Is it so that our places are so booked up, that we cannot find time, one evening, for a benefit event in God's House to help those in need?
For now at least, I am like you and have my needs met. But who is to say that in the blink of an eye, we could be the ones in need? And the taste can be bitter when our cries for help, even to a distant land, are not heard. Man's inhumanity to man.
Christian-Charles de Plicque, evangelist/missionarywww.deplicque.net
Something to think about....
Lukasevangeliet/Luke 6:24
1 Korintierbrevet/ 1st Corinthians: 9:16!
Evankeliumi Luukaan mukaan 6:24-25
Paavalin ensimmäinen kirje korinttolaisille 9:16!
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